KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday declined to stay the order of a Single Judge upholding the direction of the Ernakulam Collector to close down the multiplex in Centre Square Mall. The case has been posted to September 18.While considering an appeal filed by Peevees Projects (P) Ltd, Kochi, the court orally observed human safety cannot be compromised for commercial purposes.
The petitioner submitted, when they applied for final fire NOC, the divisional officer of the Fire and Rescue Services inspected and verified the premises. At the time of inspection, the officer had found firefighting arrangements provided in the building were in good working condition. The measures adopted by them were in excess of the prescribed standards. Advanced equipment such as beam detectors were also installed, the petition stated.
The Fire and Rescue Services denied the NOC taking into account provisions in the National Building Code. The petitioner submitted that construction was in accordance with the building permit issued under the Kerala Municipality Building Rules, 1999. The Kochi Corporation had issued a certificate to the fire and rescue department to confirm the permit was in accordance with norms.The government opposed the plea and submitted that the petitioner revised the plan for construction and occupancy, and obtained approval from the Corporation. The construction of the multiplex at a height above 30 m is not admissible as per the NBC. To strengthen its case, the state also cited the Delhi Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy of 1997.